Rashid Khan continued his incredible IPL form to bag four wickets in a six-wicket victory over Bangladesh on Tuesday to seal a historic T20I series win.
This was Afghanistan’s first T20I series win over a Test side other than Zimbabwe.
Rashid, who finished second on the IPL bowling charts with an incredible 21 wickets at an economy of 6.73 in his debut season, helped his team secure a 45-run win in the first T20I in Dehradun by taking three wickets and then again in the second match when he took 4-12 in his four overs.
Bangladesh elected to bat in the second encounter and their innings was held together by Tamim Iqbal. He fought hard for his 43 off 48 balls, but consistently lost partners at the other end. Mohammad Nabi (2-19) sparked the collapse.
After Shapoor Zadran removed Liton Das for one in the second over, Nabi removed Bangladesh stars Sabbir Rahman (13) and Mushfiqur Rahim (22) before Karim Janat removed Mahmudullah (14) – Bangladesh four down for 93 in 12 overs at this point.
Then came a destructive two-over spell from Rashid. He took three wickets in the 16th over and one in the 18th which reduced Bangladesh to 134-8.
First to go was skipper Shakib Al Hasan (three), followed by Tamim who missed a sweep as the ball rattled into the stumps. Mosaddek Hossain followed the ball after, fooled by a googly and trapped lbw for a duck. Rashid’s following over saw him bag his fourth, Bangladesh stunned on 108-8.
Abu Hider’s unbeaten 14-ball 22 saved Bangladesh from being wiped out in their 20 overs.
Afghanistan’s chase was centred around Samiullah Shenwari’s 41 off 49 who guided his side to 117-3 before losing his scalp in the 18th over. He was helped by a 15-ball 31 from Mohammad Nabi (two sixes, three fours) who sealed a six-wicket victory with seven balls remaining.
Photo: Raton Gomes/BCB
